StewHatch

I own a 1993 968 coupe with 150K. I have developed a serious vibration in the front end that occurs whenever I brake; the faster I am going, the more pronounced it becomes. I had my car in to Dawe Motorsports in April and the tech told me I was due to replace the "caster-mount bushings". I didn't replace them right away b/c there wasn't an issue yet, but now it is getting worse. The pedal and steering wheel shake violently if I am at highway speeds. Because my brake pads, rotors, and calipers are relatively new, I surmise that the bushings the tech told me about are the source. Can anyone relate a similar experience, and can anyone recommend a remedy and suggest a source for parts? Can I do this myself? Thanks. Any advice is much appreciated.

FRporscheman

the bushing you speak of is commonly referred to here as a caster block. It is very easy to inspect. Jack up the car, look underneath and find this part (the control arm)



Look at the bushing inserted in the rear part of the control arm (top right of picture). If it is totally toast, there's your problem. I've seen some messy caster blocks but it never caused any violent vibration. Based on your description it sounds exactly liked warped rotors.

Add you location to your user profile - maybe a local member can come check out your car and help figure out the problem.

Randy_J

yep, sounds like caster blocks... easy DIY and parts are cheap - just get OEM Porsche part though. Just replaced the ones in my 951S the other day while I had the car up on jack stands. If you are careful to re-align the new caster blocks in the same position where the old ones were, the alignment won't be too far off. You should get the front end alignment done again.

Hope it isn't the control arm bushing as the 968 arms don't appear to be easy DIY replacement. New arms are expensive unless someone is rebuilding the 968 arms.

JimV8

Do let us know the outcome.